The Best Chicken Tinga Recipe and Cooking Guide

This is an easier version of the classic Mexican shredded chicken in a flavorful smokey sweet tomato-chipotle sauce. Great as a make-ahead, regular weeknight dinner or a buffet-style meal when entertaining. Serve it over tortillas, salads, rice, pizzas or veggies. It’s easy, saucy and incredibly versatile.

Course: Main

Cuisine: Mexican

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 5 – 7

Equipment Large skillet Tongs

Ingredients

1 – 1 ¼ pound chicken breast, 1-2 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade here), 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil , divided, 2-3 cups chicken stock or water, 1 medium white onion , sliced 1 tablespoon garlic , minced, 340 grams diced or crushed fire-roasted tomatoes, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce , chopped

Optional for Serving: corn or flour tortillas avocados, sliced fresh cilantro crumbled cotija 1 lime , cut into wedges

Instructions

Season chicken with salt and taco seasoning.

Heat about 1-2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet on medium heat and place the chicken in the skillet.

Cook chicken for 4- 5 minutes, then use tongs to flip the chicken. Add the chicken broth, cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees F and chicken can be easily shredded.

Remove and shred using two forks. Reserve any liquid from the chicken. Set aside chicken. Add remaining oil to the pan followed by onions and garlic.

stir for about 2-3 minutes or until onions are wilte Pour in tomatoes, cumin and oregano, continue cooking for about 7-8 minutes. Add chipotle peppers and cook for about 1-2 minutes.

Add shredded chicken and mix to fully combine with the sauce. Continue cooking for about 3-4 more minutes until the flavors come together.

Add broth from the cooked chicken as needed, to prevent the chicken from burning. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Serve with tortilla, Avocados, cheese, rice, and beans or use as filling.

Notes Fire-roasted Tomatoes can be found next to traditional diced tomatoes.

These kind of tomatoes have been roasted giving them their wonderful complex smokiness flavor. If you can’t find fire-roasted canned tomatoes, then you may use the traditional diced or crushed canned tomatoes. If not, get creative.